BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Franklyn Dereck Wasi has expressed strong support for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) bill 2024, especially for the impacts it will have in the agriculture sector.
Contributing to the discussion on the bill in parliament yesterday, the Minister described the intention of the bill as a “noble one” particularly for the agriculture sector.
He stated the objective of the bill, if properly implemented will certainly boost the contribution of agricultural sector to the economic development and growth of Solomon Islands.
“For instance, the roll-out of vital enabling infrastructure to support high agricultural productivity and value-adding.
“The access to electricity and other basic utilities, provisions for regular shipping services, creation of employment, establishment of credit facilities and other needed services that have been lacking for far to long in our rural areas.
“As the Minister, I render my full support to the passing of the SEZ bill 2024,” Wasi said.
However, the Minister raised concern to responsible authorities, when comes to selecting sites for the SEZ.
“I urge responsible authority to avoid selecting existing urban development sites such as the Noro Township and the Guadalcanal Plains Palm Old Limited in the SEZ sites.
“Focus must be on selecting pilot sites in rural areas, where we can attract additional investments by rolling out basic enabling infrastructure,” he said.
Wasi added MAL has agriculture opportunity areas in the country, which mapped in 1970s, and government can revisit these sites.
“I would suggest that since agriculture products and value adding is one of the objectives under the bill, I ask that Gozoruru in Isabel be recommended as one of the sites,” he said.
On that note, Wasi called on his colleague Minister Commerce, Industry, Labor and Immigration (MCILI) to fully resource the implementation of the bill.
He also encouraged stronger collaboration and coordination with relevant technical ministries including MAL to support the bill.
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